Thoughts on Weekly and Monthly Planning

The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established. —Proverbs 16:1-3

New Beginnings for 2012 mean planning more. I also want to be a little "over" organized. This is an example. We have been freezing our salsa for a year now, it works out great. We have learned an important organization lesson besides putting the date on it, which we do- to tag it as great, decent, okay. That way I know to use certain batches for beans, or for regular eating. Good lesson to learn. 

Another that we started this week is sorting out the meat as we buy it by not only the purchase date but the meal it is intended for and the date of it. That is where planning a little in advance really helps out. I love the idea of planning a month in advance because we can watch the sales a little more.

The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

I admit that last week the menu got used every night, we did swap meals twice, once out of time for people being home to eat it and the other due being busy. We did still eat every meal of the week though. 

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

—Proverbs 21:5

I love my new planning menus. They have a menu on one side and a grocery list on the other. I have learned I can write the two or three items I need for that night right next to it. This week I also added in the menu box if we had the particular meat, which freezer it was in etc. I even was able to list that we had frozen shredded cheese to the menu box, so that I would not purchase more this month. 

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

—Proverbs 19:21

I am praying as we continue to follow some biblical principles and grow more in our organizational methods that we will live a little easier and become more efficient with our finances.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

—Jeremiah 29:11